Abstract: A timepiece having a mechanical clock movement and separate first and second cases (2, 3), the movement including first and second portions housed in the first and second cases (2, 3), respectively, the cases (2, 3) being mutually connected in a rotatably hinged manner via a hinge (4) defining a pivot axis so as to be capable of forming a variable angle between the cases, the part further including a controller arranged to transmit information from one portion of the movement to the other. The controller includes at least one rod (15) slidably mounted in the hinge along an axis substantially parallel to the pivot axis and engaging with the first and second portions of the clock movement for transmitting information from one portion of the movement to the other, by a linear, alternating movement, regardless of the relative position of the two cases (2, 3).

Abstract: A timepiece includes a frame (1a, 1b) and a gear pivotably mounted on the frame (1a, 1b) via at least one pivoting member (5a, 5b) which includes a bearing and a pivot inserted in the bearing, at least the contact surfaces of the bearing and the pivot being made from at least one material with an intrinsically low friction coefficient and a low wear rate, the gear including at least one plate (2a, 2b) provided with a first hole (3a, 3b). The pivoting member includes a first plate (6a, 6b) provided with a second hole (8a, 8b) and forming the bearing, and a second plate (7a, 7b) provided with a small rod (9a, 9b) inserted in the first and second holes and forming the pivot, one of the first (6a, 6b) and second (7a, 7b) plates being rigidly connected to the gear and the other to the frame (1a, 1b).

Abstract: A clockwork movement includes a control member actuatable by a control lever in response to a user's action and having the form of a column wheel. The control member is rotatably mounted on the clockwork movement frame around an axis X, perpendicular thereto, for controlling first and second mechanisms exhibiting at least one movement function such as chronograph or alarm function. The control member includes rotationally fixable first, second and third parts which are mounted on a shaft at first, second and third levels, respectively, in a direction of the axis X for interacting with the control lever and for controlling the mechanisms. The shaft which is pivotally mounted with respect to the frame is arranged in at least two bearings, which are positioned remotely to each other for ensuring the shaft good stability, whereas the second and third parts are located on the both parts of the frame.

Abstract: A watch movement, includes a frame (10, 11, 20, 22, 24), defined by a first and a second parallel plane surface and defining reference planes (A, B), the second plane (B) being located alongside the movement for placing adjacent to the wrist of the wearer, at least one balance wheel (30), pivoting in bearings fixed in the frame, at least one escape mechanism (26, 28) providing support for the balance wheel, an energy source (12), clockwork finishing movements (14), connecting the energy source to the escape mechanism and motion work (42).The balance wheel turns about an axis (YY), inclined in relation to the reference planes and intersecting the same, the point of intersection (PA) of the axis (Y) with the first plane (A) being closer to the center of the movement than the point of intersection (PB) of the axis (Y) with the second plane (B).

Abstract: A watch bracelet includes two straps (12, 14; 46, 48), designed to be fixed to a watch case (24, 44) at one of the ends thereof, characterised in being provided with a lentiform loop (18, 40, 58) fixed thereto.

Abstract: A clockwork movement includes at least two control elements which are movable with respect to the frame thereof, are used for interacting with the same external control member in response to the activation thereof and are positioned remotely to each other in the direction of the clockwork movement thickness. The clockwork movement has an intermediate connecting unit which is rotatable about an axis substantially extending in the direction of the clockwork movement thickness, pivotally mounted on the clockwork movement frame element and provided with a reception area which is distant from the axis and exposable to a force produced in response to the control member activation. The intermediate unit also includes at least two contact areas each of which is used for producing a force on the corresponding control element and which are located on both sides of the reception area in the direction of the axis.

Abstract: A watch movement, includes a frame (10, 11, 20, 22, 24), defined by a first and a second parallel plane surface and defining reference planes (A, B), the second plane (B) being located alongside the movement for placing adjacent to the wrist of the wearer, at least one balance wheel (30), pivoting in bearings fixed in the frame, at least one escape mechanism (26, 28) providing support for the balance wheel, an energy source (12), clockwork finishing movements (14), connecting the energy source to the escape mechanism and motion work (42).The balance wheel turns about an axis (YY), inclined in relation to the reference planes and intersecting the same, the point of intersection (PA) of the axis (Y) with the first plane (A) being closer to the centre of the movement than the point of intersection (PB) of the axis (Y) with the second plane (B).

Abstract: Mechanical oscillator for a timepiece comprising a balance (10) and a hairspring (12). The balance (10) and the hairspring (12) are produced from the same material. This material is non-magnetic and has a very low coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: A movement for a timepiece, that includes: a housing (10, 12); an energy source; a gear driven by the energy source (14); a frame (26) for a tourbillon (18) rotatingly mounted on the housing (10, 12) about a first axis (AA) and driven by the gear (14); a balance (32) mounted so as to oscillate in bearings on the frame (26); and an escapement (16, 34) including a fixed wheel (16) and a control member (34) interacting with the balance (32), the fixed wheel (16) sustaining the balance (32). In this movement, the bearings are arranged so that the balance (32) oscillates about a second axis (BB) inclined relative to the first axis (AA).

Abstract: A chronograph clockwork movement for measuring time includes a control lever actuatable by a first control member for alternatively activating or deactivating a time measurement, clutch elements for driving or not a second timer in response to an action produced on the control lever and selective locking members for locking the second timer in response to an action produced on the control lever. A lever and a hammer for resetting the second timer to zero are also provided. The clockwork movement is arranged in such a way that a user does not feel any difference, while measuring a time, whether the second timer is pre-set or not. The clockwork movement has a structure enabling to activate time measuring by delaying the effective departure of the second timer until an external resetting device controlling the lever is released in the rest position thereof.

Abstract: A clockwork movement hammer (1) is used for interacting with heart-shaped cams (20, 21) provided with corresponding axes of rotation (29, 30) which are positioned remotely to each other. More precisely, the hearts (20, 21) are connected to a chronograph timer, whereas the hammer belongs to the resetting mechanism of the chronograph timers. The inventive hammer (1) includes at least one first part (5) movably mounted on the clockwork bottom plate (2) and one second part (17) bearing supporting surfaces (13, 19) which can be bring into contact with the hearts (20, 21) . The two parts (5, 17) of the hammer (1) are connected to each other by at least one swivel-type connection (14, 24) for making it possible to adjust the corresponding positions of the supporting surfaces (18, 19) while a resetting process. Due to particular characteristics thereof, the structural design of the hammer (1) is simple and small-sized.

Abstract: A chronograph clockwork movement for measuring time includes a control lever actuatable by a first control member for alternatively activating or deactivating a time measurement, clutch elements for driving or not a second timer in response to an action produced on the control lever and selective locking members for locking the second timer in response to an action produced on the control lever. A lever and a hammer for resetting the second timer to zero are also provided. The clockwork movement is arranged in such a way that a user does not feel any difference, while measuring a time, whether the second timer is pre-set or not. The clockwork movement has a structure enabling to activate time measuring by delaying the effective departure of the second timer until an external resetting device controlling the lever is released in the rest position thereof.

Abstract: A clockwork movement includes at least two control elements which are movable with respect to the frame thereof, are used for interacting with the same external control member in response to the activation thereof and are positioned remotely to each other in the direction of the clockwork movement thickness. The clockwork movement has an intermediate connecting unit which is rotatable about an axis substantially extending in the direction of the clockwork movement thickness, pivotally mounted on the clockwork movement frame element and provided with a reception area which is distant from the axis and exposable to a force produced in response to the control member activation. The intermediate unit also includes at least two contact areas each of which is used for producing a force on the corresponding control element and which are located on both sides of the reception area in the direction of the axis.

Abstract: A clockwork movement includes a control member actuatable by a control lever in response to a user's action and having the form of a column wheel. The control member is rotatably mounted on the clockwork movement frame around an axis X, perpendicular thereto, for controlling first and second mechanisms exhibiting at least one movement function such as chronograph or alarm function. The control member includes rotationally fixable first, second and third parts which are mounted on a shaft at first, second and third levels, respectively, in a direction of the axis X for interacting with the control lever and for controlling the mechanisms. The shaft which is pivotally mounted with respect to the frame is arranged in at least two bearings, which are positioned remotely to each other for ensuring the shaft good stability, whereas the second and third parts are located on the both parts of the frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a clockwork movement hammer (1) which is used for interacting with heart-shaped cams (20, 21) provided with corresponding axes of rotation (29, 30) which are positioned remotely to each other. More precisely, said hearts (20, 21) are connected to a chronograph timer, whereas the hammer belongs to the resetting mechanism of the chronograph timers. The inventive hammer (1) comprises at least one first part (5) movably mounted on the clockwork bottom plate (2) and one second part (17) bearing supporting surfaces (18, 19) which can be bring into contact with said hearts (20, 21). The two parts (5, 17) of the hammer (1) are connected to each other by at least one swivel-type connection (14, 24) for making it possible to adjust the corresponding positions of the supporting surfaces (18, 19) while a resetting process. Due to particular characteristics thereof, the structural design of the hammer (1) is simple and small-sized.

Abstract: A timepiece, in particular a wristwatch, includes a constant-force device for acting on an oscillating system, the constant-force device including a switching unit and a tensioning module having a primary spring-energy store and a secondary spring-energy store. A seconds shaft bearing a seconds wheel and a cam plate is driven to rotate constantly by the secondary spring-energy store. The seconds wheel drives the oscillating system, and the cam plate acts on the switching unit for the periodic tensioning of the secondary spring-energy store by the primary spring-energy store.

Abstract: A timepiece includes a casing having a casing interior having a viewer's side provided with a viewing opening, a base side provided with a sound aperture, and an annular surface surrounding the sound aperture. A membrane extending over the sound aperture closes the base side of the casing interior, the membrane having a circumferential region in sealed connection with the annular surface. A tensioning device maintains the membrane at a desired tension in the radial direction. A vibration generator arranged in the casing interior produces a sound whose frequency can be adjusted by adjusting the tension of the membrane.

Abstract: A watch movement with a mechanical source of energy is provided. In one implementation, the watch movement comprises a frame intended to support moving parts and defining upper and lower faces. The distance between the upper and lower faces may define a movement thickness. Further, springs may be provided for storing the energy, each being housed in a barrel. At least three barrels may be provided, the first and the second of which are superposed and the third of which is placed laterally to the other two and within their thickness.

Abstract: The invention concerns a chronograph-type watch provided with a movement (29) comprising: current time display means, measured time display means, a time base designed to regulate said display means, a control device (34, 40) for starting and stopping the measured time display means, a reset device for resetting the measured time display means when time measurement is over. The watch is provided with a case (10) for housing the movement (29) and comprising at least one slide (24) for controlling the control and reset devices. Said watch further comprises a locking device (32, 52) designed to co-operate with the control device (34, 40) to enable or disable it, and an actuating member (28, 44) designed to de accessible outside the case (10), for controlling the locking device (32, 52).

Abstract: The invention concerns a chronograph watch movement, comprising a chronograph mechanism, including: a chrono-graph gear-train comprising first (40) and second (38) wheels completing a revolution in sixty seconds and a revolution in a fraction of an hour respectively and arranged in the center of the movement, a control device (48) for starting and stopping the rotation of the chronograph gear-train, and a reset device (50). In said movement, the chronograph mechanism further comprises switching means designed such that, upon activation, they connect the second wheel (38) of the chronograph gear-train to a finishing mobile, so that the display means borne by the second wheel display the current time unit equivalent to that of the measured time.